1. Top tips for recruiting volunteers

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    Healthwatch East Sussex recently hit the news for the fantastic response they received as a result of their plea for volunteers. They tell us the secret of their success.

  2. Meet the people using their voice to make a difference to care of others

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    Five people and groups have been shortlisted for a national award that celebrates local people who, through their dedication, have helped improve health and care for their community.

  3. Speaking up saves lives in Bristol

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    Thanks to Errol, more men in Bristol are aware of the signs of prostate cancer and are being diagnosed and treated.

  4. Getting the basics right for people who are Deaf

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    Thanks to Sandra, NHS England is improving the way they communicate with people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

  5. Families fight to save local respite service

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    Thanks to a group of families in Hertfordshire, changes are being made to respite care and support for families of children with complex needs.

  6. Meet the health and social care staff who go the extra mile

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    In the run up to the 70th anniversary of the NHS, we are joining in the celebrations with the launch of a new award to recognise the outstanding contributions of health and care staff towards improving patient care. ​​​​​​​

  7. Stories of change - number 25 #NHS70 #ItStartsWithYou

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    To help celebrate 70 years of the NHS we're collecting 70 stories of how people's experiences are being used by health and care services and professionals to help make them better.

  8. Healthwatch Network Awards 2018 shortlist announced

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    After reviewing over 170 entries, we are pleased to announce all of the finalists for the Healthwatch Network Awards 2018.

  9. Eight indicators of quality in care homes

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    Working with older people, their families and care experts, the charity Independent Age has developed a set of quality indicators which Healthwatch Camden helped test during their visits to local care homes.

  10. Tell us your story about maternal mental health

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    We want to know more about your experience of mental health support when planning to get pregnant, during pregnancy, at the birth of your child and afterwards.

  11. Work in the NHS? Five ways to let people know you’re using their views to improve care

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    Every year, NHS and social care staff receive millions of pieces of feedback from those using services. Read these top tips to help ensure people know how you are using their feedback to improve care.

  12. Healthwatch 2018 network award winners announced

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    The Healthwatch network came together to recognise some of the fantastic work of local community champions helping to improve the country’s hospitals, GPs and care services.

  13. A recap on what happened at #Healthwatch2018

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    Hundreds of people from across the Healthwatch Network joined us at our sixth Annual Conference in Stratford-Upon-Avon.

  14. How much funding is your local Healthwatch receiving for 2018/19?

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    Find out how much funding your local Healthwatch receives to help you have your say.

  15. Three common issues homeless people face when trying to access care

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    With thousands of people at risk of homelessness this winter, we look at the common issues people who do not have a place to call home tell us they can face when it comes to health and care.

  16. Helping someone who is homeless access healthcare

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    With many people sleeping rough, here's how health and care services can help those facing homelessness get the support they need.

  17. New Long Term Plan is "just the start"

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    The NHS in England has published a ten year plan setting its priorities for the future.

  18. Healthwatch brings people's voices to Westminster

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    Healthwatch from across England shared their successes and concerns in Westminster to make sure people can have their say about changes to health services.

  19. Digital resources to support #WhatWouldYouDo

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    Download and view our digital tools so that people can have their say on how to improve their local NHS.

  20. Breast cancer survivor urges people to have their say about changes to the NHS

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    There are plans to increase the number of doctors and this is an opportunity to say what’s needed in your local area.

  21. How does living in a rural area affect access to healthcare?

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    One man shares his views about how NHS services where he lives should change.

  22. Five things that would make cancer care better

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    A terminal cancer patient shares what she thinks would make support better for others.

  23. Thank you: Over 18,000 people say what they think would make the NHS better

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    Thousands of people tell Healthwatch how they want local health services to improve.

  24. Shortlist showcase - Championing diversity and inclusion

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    With a diverse population, it’s important that local services understand what their communities need, and that they don’t try and follow a one size fits all approach. Take a look at who has been shortlisted for our Diversity and Inclusion award.

  25. Healthwatch Network Awards 2019 shortlist announced

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    After receiving over 145 entries, we are pleased to announce the finalists for the Healthwatch Network Awards 2019.

  26. The Children and Families Act: five years on

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    We take a look at the work Healthwatch have been doing with young people, and their families, to find out how health and education services are working together for people with additional needs.

  27. Shortlist showcase: Outstanding individuals who’ve made a difference

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    Our Outstanding individuals who’ve made a difference award celebrates volunteers who have gone above and beyond to put people at the heart of care. Take a look at the shortlist.

  28. Why getting personal is important when it comes to health and care

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    Read a summary of our latest research to find out why personalised care is important.

  29. Helping Hertfordshire’s transgender community get the support they need

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    A survey conducted by charity Viewpoint found that there was just one support group for this community, that people wanted better information about the help available.

  30. Faster diagnosis for those with autism

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    Autism diagnosis waiting times was the top complaint received at Cheshire East Clinical Commissioning Group. The local Healthwatch listened to over 200 carers to find out more about their experiences.

  31. Improving access to services for people with learning disabilities

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    In some instances, people with learning disabilities cannot access the support they need to live independently. We look at how one local Healthwatch has been working to challenge unequal access to services for people in their area.

  32. Healthwatch awards shortlist announced

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    The shortlist has been unveiled for the 2016 Healthwatch Network Awards. The annual awards celebrate the difference local Healthwatch across the country have made to health and social care at a local and national level.

  33. Four ways your views have helped make health and care accessible

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    We take a look at how people's experiences across England have already helped to challenge barriers and improve accessibility in health and care.

  34. Involving local people in improving disability access

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    Find out what happened when one Healthwatch Bolton worked with their local hospital to improve access for people with disabilities.

  35. Helping the Somali community get the support they need

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    With a diverse population, it is important that local health and care services understand the needs of every section of their community. Read one example of how local Healthwatch is helping this to happen.

  36. Local people share their experiences of using gender identity services

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    Find out what people in Devon told their local Healthwatch about their experiences of using gender identity services.

  37. Three ways Healthwatch are making sure everyone’s voice gets heard

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    Last year local Healthwatch engaged over 300,000 people across England to help understand people’s experiences of care, but how do they do it?

  38. What do men think of health and care services?

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    Local Healthwatch go on tour to see what men in the pubs and clubs of Blackburn with Darwen really think about health and care services.

  39. Empowering prisoners to make their voices heard

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    Local Healthwatch aim to speak to every section of their community about their experiences of care. This is not always straightforward, as Healthwatch Peterborough found out when they worked to engage with prisoners.

  40. Local Healthwatch works to improve advocacy for transgender people

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    People who identify as transgender can face problems and prejudice accessing health and social care services. We speak to Healthwatch Brighton and Hove to find out what they are doing to help ensure people get the support they need.

  41. Action on improving services for children with special educational needs

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    Young people with special educational needs find learning more difficult than most people their age.

  42. Tired of explaining: the experiences of people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

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    When Healthwatch Trafford spoke to people with ME and CFS, they found that over 76% felt their GP didn’t understand their condition. Find out how they think support could be improved.

  43. Fewer hospital appointments missed thanks to one simple idea

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    Find out how one simple suggestion from deaf people in Dudley led to a better experience of visiting hospital.

  44. Islington resident helps make phoning social workers easier

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    Angela’s idea has helped make it easier for people in Islington to speak to their social worker on the phone.

  45. Healthwatch 2019 Network Award Winners announced

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    Find out about our celebration of the contribution made by local staff and volunteers who helped gather more than half a million people's views last year.

  46. How one man helped make cancer care better by sharing his experience

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    Before he sadly passed away in May 2019, Mike Chapman went out of his way to use his experience to help make care better for people affected by cancer. Mike was recognised for his outstanding achievement at the Healthwatch Network Awards 2019.

  47. NHS England working to improve communications with people who are transgender or non-binary

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    NHS England publish their first in their series of regular updates about what they are doing to improve gender identity services.

  48. Improving GP services for Deaf patients

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    With more than 11 million people in the UK with some form of hearing loss, it is important that health services understand their needs. Find out about the action one Healthwatch took when concerns were raised about accessing local GP services.

  49. Perspectives on primary care part 6: the Deaf community

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    To build on our understanding on people's experiences of primary care, we spoke to a group of people from the Deaf community in East London who told us about the challenges they experience.

  50. Improving access to GP services for people who are homeless

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    Most people take access to a GP for granted but if you become homeless, it’s not always so easy.